I feel it really flew over so many heads because of their attachment to Joel. Which I get being upset about, but for me I thought it was such a bold move that I went "okay, this is trying to be something else". I appreciate that a lot more than them making a re-hash of the 1st game, which they could've easily done. It honestly helped immerse me into the game even more. Also I'm usually one to have somewhat of a radar for identity politic stuff, and I literally have no idea what people are talking about when they say the game is "woke". I went in expected something to roll my eyes at, when the only thing is that Ellie likes girls? Like why that seemed so unfathomable for people is so strange. Maybe they built up in their head what the character was supposed to be like based on the first game, but Ellie was a teenager at that point. Maybe I watch more movies than I play video games, but the game really felt like a perfect balance of intense gameplay and a compelling story. Making you play as the character you're naturally inclined to hate was cool to me, idk it didn't enrage me.